Steven Branfman, American (b. 1953)

A Raku Vessel (#1619)

2025

About the work

This raku vessel by Steven Branfman features an elongated, ovoid body that rises to a narrow, gently flared neck, creating a poised and vertically oriented silhouette. The form feels both contained and expansive, emphasizing interior volume while maintaining a strong sculptural presence.

The surface is defined by a striking contrast between matte charcoal clay and a broad, painterly sweep of white glaze that moves across the body. This lighter glaze is heavily textured, with areas of pitting, blistering, and vertical streaking that record the intensity of the raku firing. Darker marks and subtle glaze runs interrupt the white field, reinforcing a sense of motion and natural erosion. The upper neck remains largely unglazed, offering a quiet visual pause and sharpening the transition between form and surface.

The vessel exemplifies Branfman’s balance of disciplined shaping and spontaneous surface development, where fire and material play an active role in the final composition.

Dimensions

30.5cm(h) x 17.8cm(w)

Weight: 2.0kg

Footnote

Steven Branfman received his Masters Degree from Rhode Island School Of Design in 1975 and has earned an international reputation as a clay artist. In 1977 he founded The Potters Shop and School in Needham, Massachusetts, USA, and has taught widely, including at Thayer Academy in Massachusetts since 1978. A member of the International Academy Of Ceramics, he has also held significant roles in several ceramics organizations. His Raku ware has been exhibited internationally and is included in collections such as the American Museum Of Ceramic Art and The Alfred Ceramic Art Museum. Branfman is the author of four books and a sought after workshop presenter in the United States and worldwide.